The Rise of a Master: It Starts With Rejection

The next day, Delilah entered the private chamber where Felix was staying.

"Atlas has left," she said.

Felix was taken aback. "So quickly?"

In the end, he couldn't avoid explaining why he'd holed up in the chamber. It felt wrong to keep hiding it when things had reached this point.

"It wasn't supposed to happen this fast," Delilah said. "But that old fox, Bern, pulled a move that forced Atlas to leave."

She sat down, her eyes filled with a gentle fondness. "Don't you think it's time you told me the real reason you're avoiding Atlas?"

Felix had prepared his answer long ago. "To be honest, Madam Goddard, I'm originally from the capital. My mentor noticed my talent for alchemy and sent me here to Martial City to further my skills."

Delilah chuckled knowingly. "You sly one! Did you think I couldn't figure that out? It's better to tell the truth. Only then can we truly be mentor and apprentice."

Her words didn't surprise Felix. After all, Delilah was a seasoned figure in Martial City.

It wasn't like Felix, with his extraordinary talents, could have appeared out of nowhere. While it was possible he was the descendant or apprentice of some reclusive master, it was far more likely he came from the capital.

"Atlas came by the capital for some reason, and we ended up in a confrontation," Felix began. "That was when I realized how terrifying Martial City could be. I was no match for him. My mentor had to step in and injure him, forcing him to flee back to Martial City.

"Later, when I came here, I heard from Laura that the Maximus family dominates Bedford. So I—"

There was no need to finish the sentence. Delilah nodded in understanding. "You've been cautious and evasive, which is a wise choice. The Maximus family is full of lunatics. Back in the day, Yusri Maximus mastered the Dragons Destroyer technique, making him invincible in Martial City for a long time.

"But as the saying goes, what rises must fall. After Yusri disappeared, the Maximus family began to decline little by little.

"They only dare to claim dominance in Bedford now. Still, some of their elders are quite powerful, and their. younger generation includes Atlas one of Martial City's ten prodigies. According to the Maximus family, he's their best hope to master the

Dragons Destroyer agster the

and

restore their former glory."

Hearing that, Felix's suspicions were all but confirmed. The young man from the capital he had encountered must have been Atlas. There was no way someone else from the

Maximus family's younger

Lovel

generation could possess such overwhelming strength.

"If I step in, I can mediate the conflict between you and Atlas. What do you think?" Delilah asked.

Felix shook his head firmly. "There's no need for you to intervene, Madam Goddard. Some problems are better solved by myself."

The situation involved the Dragonspine, a matter far too sensitive for mediation. Even if Delilah could pressure the Maximus family into a truce, it would only resolve things on the surface.

Behind the scenes, who knew what schemes they'd cook up? That would make things even more dangerous than they were now.

"Very well. If you ever need help, you can always come to me," Delilah said.

Felix was already a powerful expert in Physical Refinement Realm, so he was fully qualified to speak this way. Otherwise, she wouldn't have been so accommodating.

"Madam Goddard, I'll head back to the clinic to get ready for its opening," Felix said.

Delilah smiled warmly. "Go ahead. While alchemy takes up a lot of time, you can't stray too far from the essence of being a healer. Treating patients can often give you new insights into alchemy. You'll understand this more over time. "That's also why everyone who joins the Harmony Clinic must first run a clinic."

Just as Felix was about to leave, he hesitated, then turned back. After a moment of internal debate, he asked the question that had been on his mind,noveldrama

"Could you enlighten me Madam Goddard? Who is the most powerful woman in Martial City?"